Orion Genomics is proud to be an affiliate of the Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis, promoting the growth and aptitudes of college students beyond the class room. Expanding on the 2014 pilot program that was aimed at giving high school students an opportunity to experience life as a molecular biologist, the Orion Genomics Internship program is now a five week course of work in Orion’s Genomics Research and Services lab. Interns are given a research topic, challenged to research that topic in the scientific literature, develop a hypothesis and obtain the molecular biology techniques to test that hypothesis. Each year two interns are chosen, allowing them to share ideas and brainstorm just like the actual R&D scientists at Orion. Students with backgrounds in biology and chemistry quickly realize the importance of mathematics and communication skills in completing their projects. The summer internship gives students enough independence so that trial and error is likely which fosters the character needed to cope with failure, troubleshoot solutions, and experience the euphoria of a successful outcome.

Orion is one of the most prominent constellations that one can see in the night sky. In my opinion, the company exemplifies the same type of prominence. As an intern, you are making discoveries and developing amongst the stars

In the summer of 2014, Orion Genomics started an internship program aimed at giving high school students an opportunity to experience life as molecular biologists. Each student was given a project to work out and experiments to conduct over a five week period ending with a final presentation of their work. The first year's success with this program got the attention of The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis, and brought about an opportunity to grow this experience into a full summer internship for college students that also call St. Louis home. This new internship at Orion Genomics was designed to promote growth and experience in aptitudes beyond the college class room. Specifically, students were challenged to research the literature on their topic, develop a hypothesis, and then obtain the molecular biology techniques needed to test their hypothesis. Having two students in the program enabled them to work through problems by bouncing ideas and questions off one another, just as the scientists do, very often here at Orion.

"Orion is one of the most prominent constellations that one can see in the night sky. In my opinion, the company exemplifies the same type of prominence. As an intern, you are making discoveries and developing amongst the "stars". My internship enabled me to expand my knowledge and gain an improved work ethic, as well as performance at this company. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to learn in depth about PCR, how to successfully interpret scientific protocols and be able to thoroughly understand how to prepare DNA samples for sequencing. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to my success while working at Orion and those whom helped me land my current position at Washington University's School of Medicine."
- Mirhanda Allen, Summer Intern 2015

"Interning as a rising junior, Orion Genomics not only opened my eyes, but also many doors. Classroom experience opens the door, however hands on experience seals the deal. This internship allowed me to experience the success and failures of the daily life of a scientist. The opportunity was greatly appreciated and allowed me to understand that chemistry is the right major for me."
- Amber Lloyd, Summer Internship 2015

Since 1998 Orion Genomics has enjoyed growing up in St. Louis, which has become a thriving biotechnology locale with its foundation in the Human Genome Project. We are very pleased to be able to give back to the community and develop future superstars in the field.

Interested in a Summer internship at Orion Genomics?

Please email a letter of intent and resume to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and include “Summer Internship” in the subject line.